Integrating Kenya’s visa policy shift with its counterterrorism measures; enhancing border security framework on the Kenya - Somalia border

Abstract

With the introduction of a new digital platform for tourist authentication, there seems to be a disregard to the country’s possible exposure to insecurity, given Kenya’s history of terrorist attacks. The study seeks to infer the impact of Kenya’s transition to an open visa policy on national security, with a specific focus on its insufficient integration with counterterrorism measures. The analysis focuses on synchronising the existing counterterrorism policies with the open visa policy in order to enhance the functionality of the visa as a line of defence against terrorism. This study addresses gaps within current national frameworks in effectively mitigating foreign threats so as to amplify security measures and counter potential threats while facilitating the free movement of people under Kenya’s new open visa status